On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of the Philippines as you celebrate the 114th anniversary of your declaration of independence this June 12th.

The United States values the Philippines as a long-standing and trusted ally. President Obama and I were delighted to host President Aquino and Foreign Secretary Del Rosario last week to reaffirm this partnership. Our nations are joined together not only by our common struggle during World War II and through our Mutual Defense Treaty, but also by a deep and multifaceted partnership including robust trade, people-to-people relations, and a mutual commitment to good governance and respect for human rights. Our militaries stand shoulder-to-shoulder to ensure global peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region, respond to natural disasters, fight transnational crime, and curb the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Through our Partnership for Growth, we are working together to catalyze broad and inclusive economic growth in the Philippines.